Eleanor Williams became a mother at the age of 17, just two months after graduating from high school in Virginia. Her daughter, April Williams, was born on August 17, 1983. Eleanor was not ready for motherhood, but she welcomed her daughter wholeheartedly, even though she lost contact with April’s father, who was also a teenager and did not want to be a father. Despite the challenges, Eleanor was determined to be a good mother. However, a series of unfortunate events led to a mystery that has remained unsolved for decades.
A Mother Reflects On Being A Teen Mom
In 2018, Eleanor expressed to The Washington Post her discontentment upon finding out that she was pregnant at 17 years old. “I wasn’t happy about it,” she stated. Initially considering an abortion, she ultimately decided against it. As the baby started moving and kicking, Eleanor felt a connection and a certain kind of bond. “There’s something about when babies start moving and kicking. You know there’s something inside you, and it’s like a bonding. It’s just some kind of way special,” she shared.
At the age of three and a half months, April’s mother, Eleanor, embarked on a journey to visit her new boyfriend. Eleanor’s brother, who was serving in the Army in Kansas, had introduced her to his friend Kevin during her pregnancy, and they had become penpals. After April was born, Eleanor decided to finally meet Kevin in person. He generously sent her money for a bus ticket, and so during the festive season of December 3, 1983, Eleanor and baby April left Suffolk, Virginia, and began their journey to Kansas.
The Kidnapping At The Bus Terminal
During their journey, they had a three-hour layover at a bus terminal in Washington, D.C. It was there that a Black woman with spots on her face and a dark complexion approached Eleanor and Baby April. Standing at 5 feet 3 inches tall, with short and wavy dark hair, the woman, who introduced herself as Latoya, showed her affection for the baby and struck up a conversation with the young mother. Eleanor described her as gentle and kind, and Latoya mentioned that she was heading “out west.”
Eleanor shared her experience of encountering Latoya during her travel. According to Eleanor, Latoya was very friendly and asked her a lot of questions, such as where she was going and how old her baby was. Eleanor appreciated her kind behavior and found her to be a nice person. Eventually, Latoya asked if she could hold the baby, and since Eleanor was sitting right next to her, she agreed. At that time, Eleanor was exhausted as she had been traveling alone with her baby for 24 hours and had another 1,200 miles to go. Despite her tiredness, she trusted Latoya and didn’t anticipate any problem with her.
Eleanor was exhausted when Latoya informed her that April needed a diaper change. To her surprise, Latoya offered to take care of it for her. Although apprehensive, Eleanor agreed. Little did she know that this would be the last time she would see both Baby April and Latoya.
The Investigation Into The Baby’s Disappearance
Throughout the investigation, Eleanor faced a barrage of questions regarding her alleged role in her child’s disappearance. People accused her of selling or giving away Baby April because she didn’t want to be a mother. Some even went as far as to suggest that she fabricated the story. Eleanor had to endure harsh interrogations and even underwent a polygraph test. In addition to this, residents in her Virginia neighbourhood made hurtful comments about her, and she became the subject of gossip and stares. Despite being in mourning for the loss of her baby, she was treated as a spectacle to be ridiculed by those around her.
“I couldn’t handle everyone staring at me, talking about me, and passing judgment on my situation,” she explained. “They always said things like, ‘She gave up her baby’ or ‘She’s not even capable of raising a child.’ People can be so cruel and heartless. They don’t understand until they go through a similar experience themselves.”
The Romance With Kevin, The Soldier
A month after April Williams disappeared, Eleanor went to visit her Kansas beau, a soldier named Kevin. She was finally going to meet him in person. Kevin met her at the bus station, but unfortunately, their relationship didn’t last long.
Eleanor revealed that she only sought him out to have a baby as a replacement for April. She made it clear to him that her only intention was to conceive again and have another child like April. Eleanor believed that having another child like April would help ease the pain, but instead, it intensified her suffering. “All I needed him for was to have a baby to replace April,” she said. “He knew the only reason for me visiting him was because I wanted to get pregnant again because I wanted another April. I thought it was going to make me feel better. I thought it would make it hurt less. But actually, all it did was make it hurt more.”
Shortly after Eleanor’s visit, communication between her and Kevin ceased. Their child was then born in September of 1984, nearly a year after April’s abduction.
The Police Detail The Kidnapping Suspect
According to the police department, the abductor of Baby April may have a sister with the name Latisha or Natisha, and could have the astrological sign of Leo. The suspect is described as having a dark brown complexion, spots on her face, and two piercings in each ear. Additionally, she may go by the name Rene or Rene Latoya.
According to investigators, it is believed that “Latoya” took April Williams as her own child and is raising her somewhere, without the knowledge of her true identity and abduction. Witnesses reported seeing the woman carrying an infant, believed to be April, on a Metrobus near the Prince George’s County line, after she was abducted. It is suspected that April is still alive and unaware of her past.
The neighborhood was thoroughly searched by the police, who went from door to door, but unfortunately, no additional information was uncovered.
Eleanor shared with WP that there were moments in her youth when she contemplated suicide due to overwhelming feelings of guilt and despair. However, the thought of leaving her other children behind gave her the strength to keep going. She recollects a particularly difficult night when she returned home after work and entertained the idea of driving her car into a tree. In that moment, the thought of her other children’s wellbeing kept her from giving up.
April Williams: What To Know
April Williams, who went missing, was only 2 feet tall and weighed 11 pounds. She had black or dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink-and-white snowsuit and a blue sleeper with a red number 1 on the front left side. Her middle name is “Nicole,” and she goes by the nickname “Nikki.” There is a small birthmark on the top of her left wrist, which appears as a straight line and is approximately an inch long.
If you have any information about this case, please get in touch with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Missing Persons Unit at (202) 576-6768 or (202) 727-9099. Alternatively, you can reach out to your local authorities. Don’t forget to mention the agency case number, which is 568245. Your help can make a difference in bringing closure to this case.
Also Read:
- 18 Year Alabama Teenager Amya Lane has been Missing since July 8, 2021
- Man Arrested for Dismembered Body Parts in Dumpster, Wife and In-Laws Missing
- New York City 17-Year-Old Missing June 3, 2021: What Happened?
- Critical Fire Information Revealed via Emergency Transmissions at Port Newark
